Colour flow imaging of calf vein thrombosis.

Ultrasound and more recently colour Doppler ultrasound has been successfully used in the diagnosis of lower limb venous occlusive disease. Colour Doppler ultrasound has shown promise in the diagnosis of calf vein thrombosis but to date there has been no prospective trial to specifically evaluate its potential. In view of this, we carried out a prospective trial of 50 patients comparing the accuracy of colour Doppler ultrasound with venography in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis both above and below knee but in particular with respect to the detection of calf vein clot. Of the 50 patients studied, 10 had only one imaging modality performed as there were eight venographic failures and two ultrasonic failures. Comparison was only thus possible in 40 cases. As in previous studies, colour Doppler ultrasound was shown to be accurate in the diagnosis of thrombosis within the femoro-popliteal veins and had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% respectively. With respect to calf vein lesions, there was one false negative scan using the ultrasonic technique giving a sensitivity of 95%, specificity of 100% and accuracy of 97.5%. We feel colour Doppler ultrasound can and should be used as a first line alternative to venography and can be employed for the exclusion of both above and below knee deep venous thrombosis. Venography should now be reserved for those patients who are unsuitable for ultrasound examination or who have an equivocal ultrasound scan.     

Colour Doppler ultrasound in deep venous thrombosis: a comparison with venography

Colour Doppler ultrasound is a new technical development allowing simultaneous grey scale imaging and a dynamic colour flow vascular image. To date, many real time ultrasonic studies have been assessed in the diagnosis of lower limb venous thrombosis and have been shown to be accurate in the femoral and popliteal segments. A double blind prospective study comparing colour Doppler with contrast venography in the diagnosis of lower limb thrombosis was performed in a group of 40 patients. Of the study group, 26 venograms were negative and 27 ultrasound examinations were negative. Of the 14 positive venograms there was one false negative colour doppler scan which missed a calf and lower popliteal thrombosis. Two cases of isolated calf vein thrombosis were successfully detected by colour Doppler. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity for detection of lower limb venous thrombosis, including calf vein assessment, were 93% and 100% respectively. Colour Doppler is easy to perform; the average scanning time being 15 minutes for complete assessment of a unilateral lower limb venous system. Spontaneous flow is evident in the femoropopliteal segment, whilst proximal calf vein flow can only be appreciated with the aid of distal compression. Eccentric thrombus and partially recanalized thrombus can be shown. Although the number of isolated calf vein thromboses was small, early experience suggests colour Doppler may be useful in the assessment of proximal calf vein patency.     

Real-time ultrasound diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis: a comparison with venography

A prospective study comparing real-time ultrasound scanning with contrast venography in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis of the lower limb was performed in a group of 46 patients. The sensitivity of ultrasound scanning for thrombus within the iliofemoral segment, femoral vein, and popliteal vein was 94% with a specificity of 100%. Additional information obtained by ultrasound included the diagnosis of popliteal cysts, pelvic and inguinal lymphadenopathy, popliteal haematoma, and traumatic arterial aneurysm. Real-time ultrasound scanning is a rapid and non-invasive alternative to contrast venography in the diagnosis of lower limb deep venous thrombosis.     

Venous thrombosis in the neck. The role of real time ultrasound

Real time ultrasound is being increasingly used in the diagnosis of venous thrombosis. We have studied its role in six patients with jugular and/or subclavian vein thrombosis and conclude that ultrasound is a useful, non-invasive first line imaging technique and may negate the need for venography in this small but important group of patients.     

Thrombosis of upper extremity thoracic inlet veins: diagnosis with duplex Doppler sonography

Duplex Doppler sonography of the axillary, subclavian, internal jugular, and brachiocephalic veins was performed in 20 normal volunteers and in a series of 22 consecutive patients with suspected venous thrombosis. When normal, these vessels had hypoechoic or anechoic lumina, sharply echogenic walls, and characteristic Doppler flow patterns that varied with changes in intrathoracic pressure. Most thrombosed vessels had poorly defined walls and echogenic lumina. All had absent flow on Doppler analysis. Duplex Doppler sonography was positive in all 10 patients subsequently shown to have venous thrombosis by venography or CT. One false-positive result occurred in a technically limited study. Sonography has the advantages of portability, ease of performance, and high patient acceptance. Duplex Doppler has advantages over either continuous-wave Doppler or imaging sonography alone. Our experience suggests that duplex Doppler sonography should be the initial diagnostic study in evaluating suspected thrombosis of the upper extremity thoracic inlet veins.     

Ultrasound of limb veins

Several imaging modalities are available for studying limb veins. Presently, the non-invasive duplex compression ultrasound and color Doppler imaging have replaced contrast venography as first-choice imaging modality in suspected deep vein thrombosis. This review discusses the current role of sonography and suggests a diagnostic strategy that minimises the need for contrast venography.     

彩色多普勒超声在下肢深静脉血液高凝状态的临床应用价值

目的：早期发现、早期诊断下肢静脉血栓,分析和探讨彩色多普勒超声在下肢深静脉血栓形成前期的应用价值。方法：通过分析156例经彩色多普勒超声检查四肢深静脉血栓形成及血栓形成前期的图像特点及临床治疗经过与疗效复查情况。结果：彩超检查下肢深静脉血管可了解血管的形态结构、管腔血栓形成的程度及彩色血流动力学等改变。及早发现血液高凝状态即血栓前期,并在血栓形成之前及时采用药物治疗,达到临床治愈。结论：彩超检查对四肢深静脉血栓的形成具有很高的敏感性和特异性,是一种可靠的诊断依据,对临床治疗有较好的指导作用。     

Colour Doppler ultrasound of the post-phlebitic limb: sounding a cautionary note

Colour Doppler ultrasound is accurate in the diagnosis of acute lower limb venous thrombosis. Some patients, however, will re-present with recurrent lower limb swelling following the acute event, and ultrasound may also become the primary imaging modality in these patients. We, therefore, undertook a prospective study of 20 patients with a diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis proven initially on both venography and ultrasound. Sixteen patients had thrombosis in the femoro-popliteal segment and four patients had isolated calf vein thrombosis. Patients with above knee thrombosis were scanned at 1, 3 and 6 months and those with isolated calf lesions at intervals of 1 week, 1 and 3 months. Results showed that in cases of above knee thrombosis, only 50% of patients showed complete recanalization by 6 months. The remaining 50%, by this time, showed only partial recanalization of thrombus, the features of which cannot be distinguished from acute non-occlusive thrombus. With respect to the four cases of isolated calf vein thrombosis, one case showed evidence of popliteal extension of thrombus, which by 3 months had fully recanalized. The remaining three cases recanalized completely without further thrombus extension. These results show that interpretation of the ultrasonic features of the post-phlebitic limb may be difficult in patients who re-present with lower limb swelling. Based on this study, we would advise routine scanning of all patients with above knee venous thromboses at 6 months to provide a baseline scan, permitting more accurate ultrasonic assessment of any future thrombotic events. This study also highlights the question of whether isolated calf vein thrombosis can safely be regarded as a benign entity.     

低机械指数灰阶超声造影诊断下肢深静脉血栓的价值

目的:对比分析应用低机械指数灰阶超声造影与彩色多普勒超声诊断下肢深静脉血栓(deep vein thrombosis,DVT)的价值。方法:分析30例临床拟诊为下肢DVT患者的临床及影像资料,以X线静脉造影或手术结果为金标准,对比分析彩色多普勒超声与实时灰阶超声造影与DSA或手术结果的一致性。结果:彩色多普勒超声与SonoVueTM低机械指数实时灰阶超声造影诊断下肢DVT的敏感度、特异度、准确率、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为81.25%、55.00%、73.53%、81.25%、55.00%和93.75%、70.00%、86.76%、88.24%、82.35%;诊断小腿DVT的敏感度、特异度、准确率、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为55.56%、55.00%、55.26%、52.63%、57.89%和83.33%、70.00%、76.32%、71.43%、82.35%;2种方法诊断大腿DVT的结果与金标准一致;超声造影微泡灌注到达时间、达峰时间和峰值强度健侧均小于患侧;对比剂微泡与股总静脉管壁间低回声厚度健侧小于患侧。结论:低机械指数实时灰阶超声造影与彩色多普勒超声均是诊断下肢DVT的良好方法;超声造影是超声诊断下肢DVT的一种补充手段,尤其是在常规超声显示困难的小腿DVT诊断中具有优势,值得进一步推广和应用。     

Endovascular management of venous thrombotic diseases of the upper torso and extremities

Central venous thrombosis in the upper torso can be either primary, occurring as a result of longstanding extrinsic compression, or secondary, resulting from an acquired intrinsic occlusive disease or foreign body. As in lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), anticoagulation therapy is the mainstay of therapy in upper torso and upper extremity DVT. However, in the presence of severely symptomatic acute thrombosis, pharmacologic and/or mechanical thrombolytic therapy represent the main invasive form of therapy for these conditions. After clearance of the acute thrombotic component, definitive management in patients with underlying anatomic abnormalities can be undertaken. Primary subclavian axillary vein thrombosis caused by extrinsic obstruction at the thoracic outlet is treated with thrombolytic therapy and anticoagulation followed by surgical decompression, whereas secondary causes of central venous obstruction and thrombosis are usually amenable to endovascular treatment with balloon angioplasty and stent placement. Postoperative interval anticoagulation is usually recommended. In addition to clinical follow-up, imaging follow-up with duplex sonography or conventional venography is usually recommended to assess the presence of restenosis and/or residual compression.     

Duplex ultrasound diagnosis of symptomatic proximal deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs.

Real time ultrasound (US) was used to examine 165 consecutive inpatients with clinically suspected deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs. In order to evaluate accuracy, the results of non-invasive techniques were compared with ascending venography, performed in all patients. Assessment included only femoro-popliteal veins, because of difficulty in visualizing calf vein with US. Diagnosis of thrombosis was based on noncompressibility of the examined veins; pulsed Doppler provided further information by evaluating blood flow. In our series Duplex ultrasound was very accurate in detecting acute thrombosis of the proximal veins, sensitivity being 97% and specificity 98%. With US it is also possible to detect conditions that mimic deep vein thrombosis, such as muscular rupture, hematoma, popliteal cyst or compressive tumors. In conclusion US is considered a valid alternative to contrast venography in the diagnosis of proximal vein thrombosis of lower limbs.     

320排CT血管造影和超声诊断下肢深静脉血栓价值比较

目的：探讨320排容积 CT 静脉造影(CTV)和超声(US)对下肢深静脉血栓(DVT)的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析经DSA 证实为下肢 DVT 的患者51例,对比直接法 CTV 及 US 对下肢不同部位栓子的检出率。结果51例患者中,CTV 共诊断DVT 48例,发现栓子124处,US 诊断静脉血栓46例,发现栓子86处。其中盆腔 DVT CTV 检出34处,US 检出10处,胫腓静脉血栓 CTV 检出25处,US 检出5处,CTV 检出股深静脉血栓2处,US 检出11处。结论直接法 CTV 及 US 对下肢 DVT 的诊断均具有较高的临床应用价值,而前者对盆腔 DVT 及胫腓静脉血栓的检出率更高,而对股深静脉血栓的显示不及后者。     

Subcutaneous whole-body radionuclide venography using Tc-99m in vivo tagged red blood cells

PURPOSE: The accurate diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is essential to prevent its complications and to initiate appropriate treatment. Doppler ultrasound (DUS), contrast venography, and intravenous radionuclide venography have been used for many years to detect DVT. However, obtaining venous access in the foot for injection of contrast agent can be difficult. METHODS: The authors introduce the technique of subcutaneous radionuclide venography using Tc-99m in vivo tagged red blood cells and compare it with DUS, a widely used method. Sixty patients (120 lower extremities) underwent subcutaneous radionuclide venography and DUS. RESULTS: The concordance rate was 94% in the femoral veins and 95% in the popliteal veins. Subcutaneous radionuclide venography revealed 10 iliac vein thromboses and 2 inferior vena cava thromboses that were not detected by DUS. CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous radionuclide venography is a useful alternative method for detecting DVT. It is particularly valuable for evaluating DVT in the iliac veins and in the inferior vena cava.     

Bildgebende Diagnostik von Erkrankungen der Venen

Diseases of the venous system are common. A variety of diagnostic imaging methods are available. Of these, ultrasound with color-coded duplex sonography is the preferred method in the diagnosis of vein diseases, especially in patients with suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and varicosis. Compression sonography is a very accurate test in the diagnosis of DVT of the lower and upper extremities in symptomatic patients. Still today, phlebography is an important tool in the diagnosis of venous diseases. Computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in disorders of the superior and inferior vena cava and of the iliac vein. Today, the role of MR venography in vein diseases is limited.     

Axillary vein thrombosis and congenital dysfibrinogenemia in a commercial pilot: a case report

A 34-yr-old male commercial pilot developed a painful swollen right upper arm following an episode of trauma. Venography confirmed the clinical diagnosis of a right axillary deep venous thrombosis. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested the presence of a fibrous tissue band overlying the junction of the right subclavian and innominate veins, potentially creating a thoracic outlet syndrome. A thrombophilia screen revealed an abnormal fibrinogen variant consistent with a diagnosis of congenital dysfibrinogenemia. The pilot was treated with anticoagulant therapy for 4 mo. There were diagnostic difficulties in determining the definitive etiology of the axillary vein thrombosis. Congenital dysfibrinogenemia is a rare condition, which is asymptomatic in the majority, but may manifest with hemorrhage or thrombosis in up to 45% of cases. The clinical management of the pilot and the aeromedical implications of the diagnosis are discussed.     

64排螺旋CT静脉造影诊断下肢静脉血栓性病变

目的:探讨64排螺旋CT静脉造影(CTV)诊断下肢静脉血栓性病变的临床价值。材料和方法:下肢多层螺旋CT静脉造影(MSCTV)检查12例,同期均做下肢静脉Dopp ler超声(US)检查;其中1例同时进行了肺动脉CT血管造影,并于延迟2m in时行间接法下肢静脉造影检查。病例均采用5mm层厚和层间距行踝关节至髂骨上缘水平的增强CT扫描,并获得原始图像,图像经1.25mm层厚和50%的重叠处理后传送至工作站进行图像后处理。结果:64排螺旋CTV诊断下肢深静脉血栓(DVT)11例,诊断下肢慢性静脉功能不全1例,同时合并肺栓塞1例。以US作对照,64排螺旋CTV显示股静脉和腘静脉血栓的敏感性为100%,特异性98.6%。MSCTV上DVT表现为静脉腔内不规则低密度充盈缺损,慢性静脉功能不全表现为深静脉边缘不规则且于延迟2m in扫描见其远端引流静脉区造影剂点状残留。结论:64排螺旋CTV在显示股腘静脉血栓与US具有同等价值,MSCTV可作为下肢静脉血栓性病变诊断的常规检查方法。     

Venography in axillary-subclavian vein thrombosis

Nineteen patients with 20 axillary-subclavian vein thromboses were examined by venography. In 70% the axillary and subclavian veins were involved in continuity. The innominate vein was seldom involved, although demonstration of this was difficult. In 50% of the patients the thrombosis was a secondary phenomenon associated with either breast carcinoma, central venous pressure lines, heroin addiction, or cervical rib.     

Secondary arteriovenous malformation due to subclavian vein occlusion

An 80-year-old man underwent rectal resection and insertion of a central venous catheter through the left subclavian vein 16 years earlier. Following surgery, he developed edema of his left upper limb that became exacerbated and infected. Computed tomography showed occlusion of the subclavian vein and multiple arteriovenous shunts from the branches of the axillary artery to the venous sac of the axillary vein. Angiography confirmed numerous shunts between the branches of the axillary artery and vein and dilated collateral veins. Embolization of the venous sac was performed using coils, alcohol, and glue. Postprocedural angiography showed complete eradication of the nidus.     

D-dimer assay for deep vein thrombosis: its role with colour Doppler sonography

AIM: To evaluate the role of a negative D-dimer assay in the initial management of patients with clinically suspected deep venous thrombosis (DVT), using colour Doppler ultrasound as the primary diagnostic technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A double-blind prospective trial was performed on 143 patients with clinically suspected DVT. All patients underwent a D-dimer assay prior to anticoagulant therapy. DVT was confirmed or excluded by diagnostic colour Doppler ultrasound within 24 h of presentation. RESULTS: In nearly one-third of the cases (31.8%), Doppler ultrasound was positive. The D-dimer assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 97.7% with only one false-negative, but the specificity was low at 48.9% with 45 false-positive results. The positive predictive value for D-dimer assay was 48.8%, whilst the important negative predictive value was 98%. CONCLUSION: If D-dimer was used to screen for DVT, and patients with negative results were not imaged, then the imaging workload could be reduced by 35%. In this study one small calf vein thrombus would have been missed by adopting this practice.Bradley, M. (2000). Clinical Radiology 55, 525-527.     

Normal venous anatomy and collateral pathways in upper extremity venous thrombosis.

Collateral pathways are well known in superior vena cava occlusion but not in axillary or subclavian vein occlusion, even though these occlusions are becoming more common. In a series of 127 arm venograms obtained for suspected venous thrombosis, the authors found 32 instances of subclavian or axillary vein occlusion. The authors reviewed the cases for site of occlusion and definition of collateral pathways. In 15 cases, the occlusion was in the subclavian vein, with collateral flow established chiefly via veins in the neck. Ten cases of axillary vein occlusion with chest wall collateral pathways were identified. Seven cases could not be categorized. Knowledge of these pathways is useful for accurate interpretation of upper extremity venograms. A more thorough understanding of venous pathways in the upper body may aid in the treatment of patients with chronic disease and longterm indwelling central venous catheters.